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“Seizing Tomorrow”
Seizing Tomorrow requires a proactive approach to shaping the future, focusing on identifying emerging trends, innovations, and shifts in the business landscape. It encourages entrepreneurs and early-stage investors to not just react to change but to take decisive action, positioning themselves to lead and thrive in an ever-evolving world. This approach emphasizes the importance of long-term vision, seeing opportunities in the face of challenges, and making bold moves to drive industry transformation.
As we look to the future, New Zealand's unique position in the Pacific, its innovative industries, and its strong cultural values present immense opportunities for growth and collaboration. By focusing on creating and growing new markets, means we must be talking about the need to iterate, validate, and optimize in order to seize these opportunities, all while staying true to New Zealand's strengths and values. "Seizing Tomorrow" is about fostering a collective mindset of opportunity, collaboration, and long-term success, with a focus on bold, strategic actions for a prosperous future.
Our lineup of speakers will share insights on how they've anticipated the future, the key decisions that shaped their path with the benefit of hindsight, and how they continue to adapt and evolve their strategies as the future unfolds across a range of different industries and markets.
The 2025 Summit is being held at Bangor Farm, Darfield approximately 40 minutes' drive from central Christchurch in a beautiful, relaxed country setting.
- Buses depart from hotels and airport
- Iwi Welcome begins
- Summit Opens
- Minister for Trade and Investment | HonTodd McClay
Hon Todd McClay
Hon Todd McClay
Minister for Trade and Investment
- Building an A-Company: Secrets to Winning at Scale
Eros ResminiIn this session, we'll explore what defines an "A company," focusing on the differences in talent, structure, and mindset between U.S. and New Zealand companies. While New Zealand often lags behind the U.S. in investment pace and strategic ambition, there’s significant potential to grow by adopting global best practices. This discussion will focus on insights to build high-performing teams that can lead in both local and global markets, while staying true to New Zealand’s unique strengths.
Eros Resmini
The Mini Fund
- Revolutionising Industries: The Power of Innovation & Sustainability
Peri DrysdaleUntouched World will share how they disrupted their industry by seizing the opportunity to innovate and build a sustainable brand. Their journey highlights the power of bold, strategic decisions in driving industry transformation and creating long-term success. By focusing on innovation and sustainability, they’ll provide valuable insights on how to lead and thrive in an ever-evolving market.
Peri Drysdale
Untouched World
- Morning tea
- Mastering Growth: Seizing Critical Turning Points
Bob Drummond•Michael Steckler•Helen RobinsonIn this session, three New Zealand companies will share pivotal transition points that shaped their growth trajectories. Through firsthand insights, they’ll reveal the challenges and key decisions that fuelled their success, offering valuable lessons for navigating critical turning points. These stories will highlight how seizing opportunities and making bold, strategic moves can lead to long-term industry transformation and growth.
Bob Drummond
Kami
Michael Steckler
Tradify
Helen Robinson
Astrix
- Investing Together: Partnering with Iwi in the Early-Stage Ecosystem
Jamie Rihia•Renata HakiwaiIn this session, we’ll explore how Iwi are increasingly playing a vital role in the early-stage investment landscape. We’ll discuss how Iwi’s unique perspectives, values, and long-term vision offer exciting opportunities for collaboration, and how investors can work alongside Iwi to unlock shared growth and success. This conversation will highlight the power of partnership, aligning financial goals with cultural values for impactful, sustainable investment.
Jamie Rihia
Tauhara North
Renata Hakiwai
HTK Group
- Seizing the Moment: Launching a Brand Tracking Business in a Booming Market
Connor ArchboldIn this session, Connor Archbold, founder of Tracksuit, will share how he capitalized on the perfect market conditions in 2021 to launch a brand tracking business. He’ll discuss the bold decisions made, how they stayed focused on their core principles amidst distractions, and the key lessons and mistakes learned in the process. This session offers valuable insights into seizing opportunities, navigating growth challenges, and making strategic moves to thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Connor Archbold
Tracksuit
- Lunch
- Awards Session
- The Art of Risk: Investing in Startups Like a Blockbuster Movie
John BarnettIn this session, we’ll explore how investing in startups is strikingly similar to investing in movies—both require a keen eye for talent, a strong vision, and an understanding of high-risk, high-reward scenarios. Just as a movie project can be a hit or miss, so too can early-stage ventures, with uncertainty at every turn. We’ll dive into how to assess and navigate these risks, and how the right investment decisions can lead to industry-defining success.
John Barnett
CEO of Endeavour Ventures
- Debate: This house believes in angels
Rowan Simpson•Debra HallThis session will feature a debate between two seasoned investors discussing the role that angels play in the wider ecosystem
Rowan Simpson
Early Investor
Debra Hall
Flying Kiwi Angels
- Closing comments
- Buses depart for the airport
- Canapes and drinks
- Dinner at Bangor Farm
- Buses depart for the city